Almost there - Slow down?

Woodymay · Post by **Woodymay** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:07 am

Hey everyone. I'm in need of your great advice. I have 2 market gilts that weighed 205 on 06/07/08. Weigh in date is 07/13/08 and I'm aiming for 275. The gilts are gaining an average of 2.01 per day on 7# of Honor 18%. I have started to add 1# of Powerfill per day to get them used to the taste. I will be starting Paylean on 06/27/08. Should I be slowing these pigs at this point? I don't want to have to hold them hard at the end. They have nice muscling but not too much. How much fat should be added to the feed with paylean to keep cover on pigs? Thanks in advance for your help

SpotShowDad · Post by **SpotShowDad** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:04 am

I have a couple of questions. If these gilts are gaining at the exact rate you need them to be to reach your target weight (by my calculations should gain 74 lbs and weigh 279 by weigh in) and have the muscling you want why would you bother putting them on paylean. It doesn't appear necessary to me. You are worried about keeping cover on them and adding paylean will only burn any fat you wish to maintain.

Just my thoughts but maybe a better alternative to paylean is a protein top dress that will encourage the muscle you already have and not sacrifice the condition you desire. For example, Honors Champion Drive with the pound of Powerfill should be a great compliment.

Just my thoughts. It will be interesting to see what others have to say.

hampy622 · Post by **hampy622** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:20 pm

I think you should feed paylean actually if the gilt isnt tight or anything. The gilt isnt going to get any extra muscle from being fed paylean shes past that point but you will get the gilt to pop especially when you are going to be pushing. I would be worried about the gilt getting fat. You are in a great position to get that gilt to pop and have a lot of center which is crucial to getting anywhere at a show.

Woodymay · Post by **Woodymay** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:17 am

Hampy, How do I prevent her from getting too fat? I need the paylean to make her pop, will it burn off the xtra fat? What feed changes should I make when I start to add the paylean to finish her out right? I fiqure if I feed 2#powerfill and 2#feed daily with the paylean, that should put me where I need to be. Am I right? Also how much beet pulp do you add to keep them full?

SpotShowDad · Post by **SpotShowDad** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:43 am

If you are worried about the paylean burning off what fat you have then obviously they are not too fat now and will likely not get too fat in a short 33 days being fed an 18% + protein diet. At these protein levels even with additional energy(added fat) its is extremely difficult to make one fat. I personally would leave them on the diet they are on maybe increasing the powerfill some to help expand rib and center and add the protein top dresses discussed to help pop that muscle. It doesn't sound to me like the paylean is the only answer. Just my opinion

Best Of Luck and let us know how they get along. Mark